The fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), took place in Bonn, Germany, from September 25 to 29, framed in the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM).

During the meeting, more than 193 country delegations, representatives of NGOs, academia and the private sector reached an agreement on highly hazardous products, HHPs, in particular the search for viable alternatives for 2035, including their proper management.

It was also agreed that by the end of this decade, by 2030, governments should have implemented policies and programs that promote safer and more sustainable agricultural practices, including Integrated Pest Management, IPM, agroecology, and where possible the use of non-toxic alternatives. chemicals. For greater clarity on what IPM1 and agroecology2 comprise, countries should follow FAO definitions on these topics.

By the end of 2035, it is expected that governments and other actors will have taken effective measures to manage the risk of HHPs, in particular safer and more affordable alternative pest control methods. In the absence of alternatives, it is expected to gradually discontinue its use.

“The results of the meeting are a great achievement for the countries' agricultural policies. The consensus of the agreements offers important guidance and direction for the management of HHPs in the next decade,” said Mauricio Rodríguez of CropLife Latin America, who participated in the intense days of dialogue that led to the agreements.

Likewise, HHPs exporting countries have a period of 7 years to notify, regulate or prohibit the export of chemical substances that have been prohibited at the national level, in accordance with their international obligations. This agreement is applicable to a greater extent to countries that export chemicals such as China, the USA, the EU, Japan or India.

For the next ICCM6 global summit to be held in 2026, government delegations, including the ministries of foreign affairs, in coordination with those of agriculture, environment and health in each country, must present a progress report on the implementation of these agreements.